Old Catalogs That Came With Collection

Is there any value in them or reason to keep them? I am thinking to throw them away.

Here's what I got:

Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume 1 (1976)
Scott 1977 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 3
Scott 1977 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 4
Speciale Catalogus 1960 (Netherlands)
Katalog Popularny 1977 (Poland)

Seems to me I can find anything online these days much easier than flipping through a book.

Hi jsilver

First off, not everything is on-line. It seems that way, but it is a misconception.

The catalogs for the Netherlands and Poland I would definitely keep. However, if you really don't want them I would put them on e-Bay or some other stamp site and get a few dollars.

The Scott catalogs (which may be possible to replace) may have information that is useful to you, depends on what you collect.
Again, if you really don't want them put them up for auction or sale as the specialized catalogs.

In any case, just don't throw them out. They may be of use to someone.

Personally, I still use Scott 1926 and 1945 catalogs as they contain information no longer presented in the newer Scott catalogs.

Jerry B

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I concur with jbcev80. Furthering the options, I suggest donating unwanted books to a used book sale. Various charities may conduct such sales in your vicinity. Sometimes public libraries have continual book sales. Some collector may find the books as a joyous treasure.

I have a 1958 HE Harris catalog whicch I absolutley treasure. Wish we could buy stamps today at those prices!

Jack Kelley

At this point, I have actually seen suggestions that burning books is the most economical thing to do. Libraries don't want old reference items, many thrift stores are no longer taking them, book sellers are getting pennies for them, etc. I suggest offer them up on here for the cost of postage! If someone wants them, great. If not,
recycling them is better than throwing them away.

Last time I replaced my Scott catalogs, the old set was less than 10 years out of date. No used bookstore would touch them, so I gave them to Goodwill, hoping they would make someone happy.

Bring them to your next local stamp club meeting. My guess is they will last about 17 seconds on the free table.

We have also used donations like that as door prizes for those who bother to attend the meetings. Table of free stuff - if your ticket gets pulled - you get your choice from the table.

CV19 has definitely clamped down on our meetings, but free catalogs get snapped up immediately when we did have them.

Some of our fellow collectors are, well, thrifty...

no one in my local club would want Scott catalogs that old

A bit surprised that J Silver recommended to keep a Polish catalog from 1977. Earlier this year I found a full-color, trade paperback sized Polish catalog from 2005 (I sell used books and it appeared in one of our full truck load purchases of books). It seems to be a concise catalog rather than a comprehensive.

Amazon did not recognize it so it could not be sold there. It's written in Polish so that probably explains why Amazon doesn't have the book in their database. So I brought it home "just because" but not sure I'll ever need or use it.

I am surprised by the recommendation of posting them on ebay. Unless it is for local pick-up, the postage costs would deter anyone from bidding. I tried listing a 2015 Scott volume 1 for $2 plus $15 S&H and got no bids.

Hello.
I guess everyone knows this.
Regards.

http://www.stampspoland.nl/

Old catalogues are also important to have to cross reference catalogue numbers when sections get rewritten.

I agree from the standpoint that I am usually loath to pay more for shipping than an item cost. On the other hand, a book qualifies for media mail at $2.80.

$2.80 for media mail is the first pound. Any addition pound over 1 lb costs I believe $0.53. Scott's weigh perhaps 4 lbs.

and there are some postal clerks that refuse to allow catalogs to go media mail - in their mind a catalog is a commercial offer to sell and not a reference work no matter how much you argue with them

There is no such thing as media mail in Canada, unfortunately. Therefore, it makes sending a book, especially a heavy Scott catalogue a very expensive delivery. Trust me, every catalogue that I have been able to sell on ebay has ended up being a financial loss. After my last unsuccessful listing in June, they now just go into the recycling bin.